Jehover's Witness question

[~StarBright~]

I must say i also applaud the determination of JW's who go to great lenghts to spread the word! I used to live in a VERY remote place- and the first time they visited i could not beleive they went to soooo much trouble!! The road to my house was a very steep rough dirt road, and the first visit they came in a small hatch back that very nearly didnt make it- i had a great chat to them and then recieved visits fortnightly after that- and they gentleman who visited every time was smart and drove a 4 weel drive after that!!

I never invited them inside- (usually coz my house was a shocking mess!) but we had plenty of good discussions in my front yard- they never tried to "convert" me- and when i told them that while i appriciated their visits- that i had no intention of joining the church- my visits got slowed to monthly- then they stopped- until i lost my baby half way through my pregnancy- it was like they had a radar and knew that my life was a mess and they appeared again to see if i was ok.. weird, but at the same time i was kind of grateful, most of my "friends" couldnt be bothered to come and visit me- but these almost strangers seemed to know i needed support and were there... still didnt get me to their church- but it was nice to know that some how they knew and that they cared.

[Macca79]

I used to receive regular visits from some nice JW families but I have to hand it to them they could be very persistent. I even had a visit when we were in the middle of a cyclone warning. It was the only time I have invited them inside as I was worried about their safety. My offer was politely refused and they went off down the street to see another couple. I never saw them again after that though.

[briggsy's girl]

no offence to any JW's - but some of the ones that have come to our area have been REALLY pushy! i have been polite on most occassions, asked that they not continue to visit - but a few weeks later, they've been back. if we've said no, the next time they send kids to the door and then the adults follow just after so that you answer the door to the children. this might not be the case everywhere, but it's definitely happened regularly around here. i now just tell people i'm not interested, if they don't listen, i close the door on them.

as a kid, i was out delivering catalogues with my brother, and in one day, the SAME people stopped us three times and just wouldn't leave us alone. now, we were 10 and 12 - there is no WAY we should have been "ambushed" - at that age, you're not mature enough to make decisions about your religious beliefs and they shouldn't have stopped us at all

i'm very much of the belief that i will make decisions about my religious beliefs in my own time in my own way - i don't need people knocking on my door (of ANY religious persuasion) to try to preach to me. BTW - i'm exactly the same with sales people! if i want something, i'll go looking for it - don't need you harassing me!

[aussienic]

SG: I guess for me and maybe a lot of people the whole door to door thing just isn't what we want.. I don't even like charities coming to my door because I feel bad saying no.. if I can afford to i will give money when I can..

same with religeon if I am interested I will seek it out..

Now i understand it is your faith to go and spread the word but IMO wouldn't it better be done via putting up flyers inviting people to see you.. or be at the shopping centres rather then go to peoples houses..

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

Believe me, I understand that many people don't want us coming to their homes anymore - and these people wouldn't want to hear the message, whether we went to their homes or spoke to them on the street or in a shopping centre.

But at the same time, we do still meet a lot of people that WANT to talk to us, and want to listen to what we have to say. StarBright, I can't tell you how many times I have heard experiences like that, that JW's came exactly when they were needed. We understand that we are going to get abused and even persecuted sometimes, but we have to keep looking for the people who want to listen to our message.

[HotI]

We understand that we are going to get abused and even persecuted sometimes, but we have to keep looking for the people who want to listen to our message.

However, if someone tells you politely that they are not interested, and you still visit once a year, i don't think this is appropriate and it is this kind of thing that leads people to feel the need to get nasty to get their message through that they are not interested.

[Lulu]

I dont mind saying 'no thanks' once a year - its the silly bloody telco fools that are FAR worse!

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

However, if someone tells you politely that they are not interested, and you still visit once a year, i don't think this is appropriate and it is this kind of thing that leads people to feel the need to get nasty to get their message through that they are not interested.

As I said before, we have to visit once a year, in case you have moved on. Different people have different views, and its only fair to give everyone the chance, rather than ignoring a house because 10 years ago the people who lived there didn't want to us to visit.

Think about it this way: There's a bush fire near your house, and the Police warn you and your neighbours to leave because there is imminent danger. Inevitably there will be someone who chooses to stay in their home, and thats fine. But the Police will continue to warn them of the danger, because they can't just sit by and watch it happen. The Police don't care that this person has already said no, they're gonna warn them again anyway, and they'll keep warning until the last second, just in case THIS time the householder decides to leave. Would you view that as inappropriate?

I don't want this discussion to get out of hand - I was simply answering aussienic's initial question, and trying to share our insight. I understand that some people don't like what we do, but I am not going to apologise for doing what I feel is the right thing to do.

If you have any further views or questions Kate07, please feel free to PM me

[Livinthedream]

I kind of recon, power to you if thats how you want to spend your weekends.
I get how some may find it intrusive and i sometimes feel a little bad for the kids who have to go door knocking with their folks. But hey its a free country and I guess there are worse things you could do to your kids.
I kind of admire people who are prepared to live the way their religion dictates. Seems to me we are all too happy to celebrate the "fun stuff" eg santa and the easter bunny but without the boring church every sunday part.
I try to remember this when the JW's come knocking at my door. Cause although religion is really not my thing, they really mean no harm.

[Lisa]

SG - Thanks so much for your insight into JW's and the witnessing. Not many people do understand what it is all about.
Lulu2 - I will have to keep an eye out for that doco.

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

as a kid, i was out delivering catalogues with my brother, and in one day, the SAME people stopped us three times and just wouldn't leave us alone. now, we were 10 and 12 - there is no WAY we should have been "ambushed" - at that age, you're not mature enough to make decisions about your religious beliefs and they shouldn't have stopped us at all

I completely agree with you BG, that shouldn't have happened. I know it used to happen, but we have since been instructed not to speak to children under at least 16 years without parental consent. Obviously we can't ask everyone their age, and I have gotten caught a few times asking very young looking women if I can speak to their Mum only to find they ARE the mum! But we are definitely supposed to put in the effort to speak only to adults - I often get told 'Mum and Dad are asleep', to which I say someone will visit them later.

Your point about not being mature enough to make decisions is completely true - this is also why we don't practice christenings (just as a side point).